TO: Sonya Fallgatter, Faculty Senate

FROM: Matt Hamilton, Enrollment and Student Financial Services

SUBJECT: Academic Regulations Committee

DATE: November 7, 2005

On Friday, November 4, 2005, the Academic Regulations Committee unanimously approved three proposals related to issues forwarded to the committee by Faculty Senate. Additionally, the Academic Regulations Committee reviewed two academic calendars that had already been approved (2006-07, 2007-08) and approved two new academic calendars (2008-09, 2009-10).

All members of the committee were present for the discussion and voting: Voting members - S. Lakshmivarahan, Computer Science; Carl Rath, Music; Don Maletz, Political Science; Andrew Strout, Art; Dipanker Ghosh, Accounting; Brandon Olson, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering; Ben Blosch, UOSA; Non-voting members - Matt Hamilton, Registrar; Breck Turkington, Director of Enrollment Services; Patricia Lynch, Director of Admissions.

1. It is requested that a University policy be adopted that all courses with numbers ending in 60 (Directed Readings or Honors Readings), 80 (Thesis/Dissertation or Honors Research) and 90 (Independent Study) be S/U graded except by appeal, and that all courses with numbers ending in 70 (Special Topics/Seminar) be letter or S/U graded at the instructor’s discretion.

Rationale: This proposal establishes consistency in grading for these courses, while providing a way to appeal through the existing Changes in Course Grading form process. This policy would set a consistent pedagogical standard and also provide a mechanism for appeal that is consistent. The Committee believes this will eliminate confusion and ease administrative burden for departments and administrators. 

2. It is also requested that a University policy be adopted that all courses with numbers ending in 60 carry the title of Directed Readings or Honors Readings, courses with numbers ending in 90 be titled Independent Study, courses with numbers ending in 80 be called Thesis/Dissertation or Honors Research, and courses with numbers ending in 70 have the title of either Special Topics or Seminar with an additional variable title. If a topic is offered under this number, a specific topic could only be offered twice. After offering the course a maximum of twice, the department must request a permanent number for that specific course content.

Rationale: Related to this grading issue is the issue of consistency of course titles for these groups of courses. Much like the policy of having the first number of a course number signify the level of the course and the last number signify the number of credit hours for the course, establishing consistent titles across the University will more properly identify these specialized courses. Consistent numbering and titling will greatly facilitate enrollment, advising, degree audit and degree clearance since many degree programs have limitations on how many hours and/or attempts are allowed in these types of courses.

3. It is also requested that a University policy be adopted so that Directed/Honors Readings, Independent Study, Thesis/Dissertation/Honors Research and Special Topics/Seminar courses will be added to the course inventory as part of process of creating any new department. Existing departments which do not have these courses established would also be identified and created in coordination with the academic department. The Curricular Changes and Academic Publications office will coordinate creating the course forms and will send the forms to the department for their signature and their dean’s office signature in order to record the date of the action. The requests would not require review/approval by college committees or the Academic Programs Council, which is normally required for adding a course.

Rationale: These courses, established for all departments, will ensure appropriate uniformity across the university. The process is intended to facilitate manageable change for all departments.

Please let us know if there are additional questions. Thank you for submitting these issues for our consideration.

cc: Academic Regulations Committee